I must start with a correction to yesterday’s post. My co-travelers have informed me that it was a kumquat, not an orange tree being transported. So I stand corrected and you are all now re-educated.
One more addition to yesterday. Although we didn’t make it out to see the fireworks, there was no missing the sounds. The explosions started right at midnight and continued on. Ian got a picture from his balcony – the people were certainly out in their finery.
And today we start our morning with a selection from the beautiful buffet breakfast.
We are picked up by our guide Duc at 9 am. His name is pronounced Duke but for the first hour Ian referred to him as Duck, or Mr. Duck. Yvonne didn’t think that was correct, so we had him clarify. He said while he did like duck, his name was pronounced “Duke”. No more problems after that.
Since today is the start the New Year it is expected that there will be no crowds, traffic or stores open.
We start off touring the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, where he is on display every morning for several hours. The mausoleum closes for 3 months every year so he can be re-embalmed. Sorry no photos allowed!
Here is Duc outside the mausoleum.
And us too!
This is the Presidential Palace
But Ho Chi Minh wanted a simpler life – he lived in a very modest tree house nearby.
we found Ian’s spirit animal – so he posed with his peacock.
Duc then taught us a “trick” with the leaves. (It’s a video)
A stop at the Pagoda for our first glimpse of temple.
And now on to more temples…..many. Remember it’s New Years – so might not be many people out.
Now we are going to the Hanoi Hilton.
They have gotten rid of the location where the Americans were held (built a high rise in the spot), but they have a complete photo presentation of how well the American pilots were treated and pictures of them playing cards, basketball and relaxing smoking cigarettes. Below is a bed that the American prisoners were given.
While there was not much on any unfavorable American prisoner conditions, there was an entire section of the prison that was operated by the French who tortured the Vietnamese political dissidents in the1930’s. And that section still remains.
The guillotine.
Next, the Confucius museum and temple.
So not only is it unexpectedly crowded but these people are really dressed up.
A quick beverage and we’re off again.
And by now the traffic is insane. Entire families on scooters- in the streets and on the sidewalks.
A child on the back and a sleeping child draped across her lap!
Here is the monument to John McCain at the edge of the lake where he was shot down in 1967. The Vietnamese seem very affectionate towards him and his later efforts to normalize relations between the two countries.
Now to tour the historic colonial district. They really need to upgrade their electric systems!
More street scenes….these caught my eye. One of these balloons is not like the others….
Now a water puppet show….can we really keep going!!
No pictures of the show, but at least we got to sit for 45 minutes. We rushed out of there to make it back to the hotel for a tour of their recently discovered bomb shelters (bunker) from the war.
No time to stop, now we are on to dinner…and we finish our day at the French restaurant at the hotel.
A chocolate soufflé for dessert and we are definitely done for the day
Time to turn in and prepare for our overnight cruise tomorrow on Lan Ha Bay.
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